Tuesday, April 06, 2010
Local business PAC endorses candidates in Roanoke, Salem elections
The high-spending Business Leadership Fund political action committee has endorsed candidates in city council elections for Roanoke and Salem.
In Roanoke, it’s endorsed the three Democrats: Incumbent Councilman David Trinkle, former Councilman Bill Bestpitch and lawyer Ray Ferris.
In Salem, it’s endorsed incumbent Mayor Randy Foley and longtime school board member Wayne Adkins.
The Business Leadership Fund, which is administered by the Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce, was established in 1988 to represent business interests. It’s spent $92,398 since then, mostly on Roanoke candidates.
In 2006 it contributed nearly $65,000 to the "For the City" slate, which swept the race for three council seats. Two years ago it contributed thousands of dollars to Sherman Lea and Court Rosen — who won seats on the council — as well as $12,000 to Nelson Harris, who lost his bid for mayor.
Mike Pace, chairman of the Business Leadership Fund, said experience factored into the Roanoke endorsements this year: "We think that is best suited for Roanoke city going forward given the difficulties with the economy, the difficulties with the budget and the need to work together as a group to get things done with the new city manager, Chris Morrill and the existing city council members."
The Salem endorsements were awarded for similar reasons, Pace said.
"Given Mayor Foley’s record in Salem city, we strongly believe that he should continue to serve the city, and given Wayne Adkins long-standing experience on the school board, we believe the two of them have the progressive ideas to keep Salem strong and moving forward," Pace said.
In Roanoke, it’s endorsed the three Democrats: Incumbent Councilman David Trinkle, former Councilman Bill Bestpitch and lawyer Ray Ferris.
In Salem, it’s endorsed incumbent Mayor Randy Foley and longtime school board member Wayne Adkins.
The Business Leadership Fund, which is administered by the Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce, was established in 1988 to represent business interests. It’s spent $92,398 since then, mostly on Roanoke candidates.
In 2006 it contributed nearly $65,000 to the "For the City" slate, which swept the race for three council seats. Two years ago it contributed thousands of dollars to Sherman Lea and Court Rosen — who won seats on the council — as well as $12,000 to Nelson Harris, who lost his bid for mayor.
Mike Pace, chairman of the Business Leadership Fund, said experience factored into the Roanoke endorsements this year: "We think that is best suited for Roanoke city going forward given the difficulties with the economy, the difficulties with the budget and the need to work together as a group to get things done with the new city manager, Chris Morrill and the existing city council members."
The Salem endorsements were awarded for similar reasons, Pace said.
"Given Mayor Foley’s record in Salem city, we strongly believe that he should continue to serve the city, and given Wayne Adkins long-standing experience on the school board, we believe the two of them have the progressive ideas to keep Salem strong and moving forward," Pace said.
